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Research · Large Cars · 4 NHTSA variants

2021 Volkswagen ArteonRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 14 owner complaints for the 2021 Volkswagen Arteon. Most complaints involve forward collision avoidance (6) and tires (3). The EPA rates it 24–25 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
24–25mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Jul 2022
Owner complaints
14
Top: forward collision avoidance
Fuel cost / yr
$3,100est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Back over prevention: camera

Free remedy

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Golf GTI, Jetta GLI, Jetta NF, Arteon FL, Tiguan LWB, 2022 Taos, Jetta PA, Tiguan PA, 2021-2022 Atlas Cross Sport, and Atlas FL vehicles. The manufacturing process of the eMMC memory module in the infotainment system may cause the rearview camera image not to display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Back over preventionReported Jul 20, 2022NHTSA 22V514000

Service brakes

Free remedy

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Arteon vehicles. The pressure input rod connection on the brake booster may be loose and could detach.

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Sep 8, 2021NHTSA 21V695000

Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems

Free remedy

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Arteon vehicles. The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) sensors were incorrectly calibrated and may not detect the position of a wheel sensor after tire rotation. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."

TiresReported Apr 21, 2021NHTSA 21V274000
See all 4 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

14 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jul 2021 – Mar 2026
  1. Forward collision avoidance6
  2. Tires3
  3. Lane departure3
  4. Electrical system2
  5. Vehicle speed control1
  6. Air bags1
  7. Engine1
  8. Wheels1
  9. Exterior lighting1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Arteon model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
20198
20202
202114
20225
202314
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Forward collision avoidance

6 reports1 crash1 fire
“This defect causes multiple, non-periodic, but repeated, "Travel assist unavailable" audible and visual alarms at seemingly unrelated and unpredictable times while driving. My favorite times are when you start making a turn after coming to a full stop and it alarms, asking you to take your eyes off the road and look at the dash. There is no way to turn the alarm off. It occurs even if you have the feature it is alarming about disabled or turned off. When the alarm triggers, the display has multiple yellow icons and frequently a large text/graphic in the middle of the digital cockpit. It can be extremely distracting. Apparently the fix is to replace the steering wheel. The steering wheel is on backorder for over four months now.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 23, 2024Unknown or other, Forward collision avoidance, Lane departureODI 11573717

Tires

3 reports
“Several of the tires showing delamination according to the dealership. Extremely hazardous to drive on tires as is. Manufacturer (Continental) advised me on 9/25/2025 they would replace 5 tires (car purchased new, came with full size spare). Continental representative give me their contact information and stated that they would have to deal directly with the dealership in order to complete the process. Dealership is stating to me at this point I will have to purchase the tires, the manufacturer will reimburse used them and they in turn will reimburse me. The dealer is in possession of my vehicle since Friday, 9/26/25 because they told me Ithe vehicle had to be on their premises before they could initiate the work order. Additionally on the evening of 9/26/25, the dealership personnel left the sunroof of my car fully open, there was a downpour of rain for several hours, causing water to enter the car (what the damages are as a result has not been relayed to me nor has the dealership order the tires to replace the defective ones.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 1, 2025TiresODI 11690832

Lane departure

3 reports
“TRAVEL ASSIST ALERT KEEPS GOING OFF FOR NO REASON. IT IS VERY ANNOYING”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 10, 2025Forward collision avoidance, Lane departureODI 11653933
All 2021 Arteon problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Large Cars
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (S8)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Arteon
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
223225$3,100347
Arteon 4motion
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
203124$3,200370
  • Arteon
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    22 city · 32 hwy · $3,100/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • Arteon 4motion
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    20 city · 31 hwy · $3,200/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

5 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2021 Volkswagen Arteon as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 15567Vehicle 15580Vehicle 15569
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2021 Arteon questions

How many recalls does the 2021 Volkswagen Arteon have?

4 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2021 Volkswagen Arteon problems?

Owners filed 14 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are forward collision avoidance (6), tires (3), lane departure (3). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2021 Volkswagen Arteon get?

The EPA rates the 2021 Volkswagen Arteon at 24–25 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026